Individuals Affected by July 9 Crackdown on Rights Lawyers

July 13, 2015 Comments Off on Individuals Affected by July 9 Crackdown on Rights Lawyers

Last updated: January 10, 2018

Massive police operations targeting human right lawyers and coordinated by the Ministry of Public Security began on July 9, 2015, across China. During the crackdown, authorities focused on the Beijing Fengrui Law Firm and lawyers who supported Fengrui lawyer Wang Yu, while other law firms have also been affected. Public security bureau (PSB) officers searched homes, businesses, and law firms, and abducted, detained, summoned, or visited over 300 individuals. Officers warned people against speaking publicly about being visited or detained for questioning; therefore, it is not possible to accurately estimate the number of individuals affected because some people may have remained silent about their encounters with police.

To date, 5 individuals are serving prison sentences and 1 has been indicted and is awaiting trial. In total, 9 have been tried, all of whom have been convicted.28 were released after lengthy periods in custody, including 3 on suspended sentences, 1 after being convicted but not given a prison sentence, 12 after being formally arrested, and 5 after six months in residential surveillance at a designated location. Of the 28 released, at least 17 disappeared into police control for a period of time after being released. Most continue to live under strict restrictions on their freedom of movement and communication. At least 300 others were summoned for questioning and then released after 24 hours.

The detentions listed below include cases of lawyers and activists put on trial, under arrest, under “residential surveillance” in police-designated secret locations, forcibly disappeared, and released after a lengthy period of detention. (Those who police forcibly disappeared were held for over 24 hours, the limit set by Chinese law for the release of a detainee if there is no legal reason to keep detaining the individual.) This page does not contain a comprehensive list of individuals questioned and released after 24 hours. Instead, CHRD has focused on those detained in July 2015 as well as other individuals whose cases police have linked to investigations of those initial cases (e.g. officers transferred their cases to a jurisdiction in Tianjin), or were later detained for defending or supporting detainees.

(A more detailed summary of certain cases can be found by clicking the blue link on their name)

Tried & Imprisoned:

“Subversion of state power” (Criminal Law, 105(1))

Beijing-based dissident and writer, Hu Shigen (胡石根), male, was tried and convicted on charges of “subversion of state power” on August 3, 2016 by the Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court and handed a 7.5 year prison sentence. His family were not allowed to attend his trial, and his family-appointed lawyer was never granted a single meeting with him. Transferred to an unknown prison after his conviction. Police initially criminally detained Hu on July 10, 2015 on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power” and “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” before putting him under “residential surveillance at a designated location” on August 7, 2015 and transferring him to a secret location. Hu was formally arrested on January 8, 2016 on suspicion of “subversion,” and then held at Tianjin No. 1 Detention Center. Hu and activists Liu Yongping and Gou Hongguo (below) belonged to the same underground Christian church in Beijing.

Activist Wu Gan (吴淦), widely known as “The Butcher” (屠夫), male, received an 8-year sentence on December 26, 2017. He was put on trial on August 14, 2017 on charges of “subversion of state power” by Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court. Initially detained in May 2015 in Jiangxi, and then arrested in Fujian Province on suspicion of “libel,” “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” and “inciting subversion of state power.” His case was then transferred to Tianjin, and on January 20, 2016, Tianjin police re-started the period of investigation on his case, claiming that new evidence had emerged. On an unknown date before August 2016, Tianjin officials upgraded the criminal charge to “subversion of state power.” He is being held at Tianjin No. 2 Detention Center. Wu was initially denied visits with his lawyers on the grounds his case involved “endangering state security” crimes until December 9, 2016, when he told his lawyers that police keep pressuring him to confess. Beginning in April 2017, his lawyers were blocked from meeting him. He began working as a special assistant with with Beijing Fengrui Law Firm in the spring of 2015.

Lawyer Zhou Shifeng (周世锋), male, director of Fengrui Law Firm, was tried and convicted of “subversion of state power” on August 4, 2016 by Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court, and sentenced to seven years in prison. His family were not allowed to attend the trial and his family-appointed lawyer was not granted a single meeting with him. Transferred to an unknown prison after his conviction. First detained in Beijing on July 10, 2015, state media later reported he was under criminal detention. He was put under “residential surveillance at a designated location” on an unknown date and held at a secret location. Zhou was formally arrested on January 8, 2016, on suspicion of “subversion,” and then moved to Tianjin No. 1 Detention Center, where officials told his lawyers that they had been “fired” without producing any evidence. Zhou founded Beijing Fengrui Law Firm in 2007.

“Picking quarrels and provoking trouble” (Criminal Law, 293(4))

Hubei activist Yin Xu’an (尹旭安), male, was tried on September 13, 2016 for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” by Daye City People’s Court and sentenced on May 27, 2017 to 3.5 years in prison. His family were not allowed to attend the trial hearing. Yin was initially taken into custody on July 28, 2015, formally arrested on September 26, 2015, and indicted on an unknown date. Police seized Yin, Wang Fang (below) and other activists three days after they had publicly shown support for activist Wu Gan (a.k.a. “The Butcher”), who was detained in late May, by wearing t-shirts with Wu’s image in front of the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan and then posted photos online. He is being held at Daye City Detention Center in Hubei. Yin has been held incommunicado for 10 months until he was granted a meeting with his lawyer in May 2016, when he told his lawyer about torture he had suffered in detention

Hubei activist Wang Fang (王芳), female, was tried by Wuchang District Court in Wuhan on February 10, 2017 on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and sentenced on July 18, 2017 to three-years in prison. Her trial was initially set for August 18, 2016, but authorities postponed it two days before the hearing was set to start, and then delayed it again on December 5, 2016. She was seized in Wuhan on July 28, 2015 by police three days after she and other activists, including Yin Xu’an (above), had publicly shown support for activist Wu Gan (a.k.a. “The Butcher”), who was detained in late May 2015. Police formally arrested Wang on September 15, 2015 and then indicted her on an unknown date. Wang is being held at Wuhan No. 1 Detention Center.

Formally Charged (indicted):

“Subversion of state power” (Criminal Law, 105(1))

Wang Quanzhang (王全璋), male, lawyer with Fengrui Law Firm, was indicted on February 14, 2017 on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” First reported to be under criminal suspicion in Xinhua on July 11, 2015, but not detained until August 3, 2015 on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and “inciting subversion of state power.” Initially held at Hexi District Detention Center in Tianjin Municipality, then put under”residential surveillance at a designated location” and moved to a secret location. After being formally arrested on January 8, 2016, Wang was moved to Tianjin No. 2 Detention Center. In August 2016, officials Tianjin No. 2 People’s Procuratorate told Wang’s family-appointed lawyer Yu Wensheng (余文生) that had “fired” him, but did not allow Yu to verify such a request.

Released following lengthy detention:

Released after being convicted at trial:

Activist Gou Hongguo (沟洪国)also known as Ge Ping (戈平), male, was tried and convicted of “subversion of state power” on August 5, 2016 by Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court. Gou received a three year sentence, suspended for three years. His wife was not allowed to attend the trial, and his family-appointed lawyers were barred from defending him. Following his release on a suspended sentence, Gou and his family have been subjected to a number of strict police controls on their freedom of movement and communications. Gou was formally arrested on suspicion of “subversion of state power” on January 8, 2016, and then held at Tianjin No. 2 Detention Center, where officials told his lawyers that they had been “fired” without producing any evidence. Initially detained on July 10, 2015 from Beijing home by Tianjin PSB officers and then put under “residential surveillance at a designated location,” a secret location they didn’t reveal to his family. Guo and activists Liu Yongping (below) and Hu Shigen (above) belong to the same underground church in Beijing.

Beijing-based activist Zhai Yanmin (翟岩民), male, was tried and convicted on August 2, 2016 on charges of “subversion of state power.” Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court sentenced him to three years imprisonment, suspended for four years. Hi wife was detained to prevent her from attending the hearing. Following his release on a suspended sentence, Zhai has been under strict control by police, who restrict his freedom of movement and communication. He has reportedly been forced to wear an electronic tracking device. Zhai was formally arrested in January 2016 on charges of “subversion” by Tianjin authorities, and beginning in April 2016, was held at Tianjin No. 2 Detention Center, where officials claimed Zhai had fired his lawyers without producing any evidence. Police initially detained Zhai and at least 16 others on June 15, 2015 on suspicion of “gathering a crowd to disrupt order of a public place” and “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” following a protest outside a courthouse in Weifang City, Shandong. His case was then transferred to Tianjin.

Prominent lawyer Li Heping (李和平), male, was tried in a secret hearing on April 25, 2017 by Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court and convicted of “subversion of state power” on April 28. He received a three year prison sentence, suspended for four years. His wife was not informed of the trial until after the sentencing, and his family-appointed lawyers were barred from defending him. Disappeared for several days after his “release,” before being allowed to return home. Formally arrested on January 8, 2016, he was then held at Tianjin No. 1 Detention Center, where officials told his lawyers that they had been “fired” without producing any evidence. Initially detained on July 10, 2015 by Tianjin PSB officers, and put under “residential sureveillance at a designated location,” a secret location they didn’t reveal to his family. They did not produce a warrant and searched his home and his firm, Globe-Law Law Firm, confiscating materials. His legal assistants Zhao Wei and Gao Yue were also detained.

Lawyer Xie Yang (谢阳), male, was put on trial on May 8, 2017 on charges of “inciting subversion of state power” and “disrupting court order.” Granted bail after the trial on an unclear date. On December 26, 2017, Xie Yang was convicted but not given a custodial sentence. Xie was put under strict surveillance by police after his release on bail. Hunan police first detained Xie on July 11, 2015 and held him under “residential surveillance at a police designated location” for six months at a secret location. Changsha PSB formally arrested him on January 8, 2016, and he was moved to Changsha Public Security No. 2 Detention Center. Chen Guiqiu, Xie’s wife, has repeatedly raised concerns that Xie has been tortured and mistreated in detention. Xie has been denied access to his lawyers for long stretches of his time, with police stating it was because he was being held on a “endangering state security” crime. Xie reportedly had two meetings, one in July 2016 and November 2016, where his lawyer saw physical signs of torture. In January 2017, Xie gave lengthy testimony to his lawyer during several meetings that alleged repeated and systematic torture to force him to confess. Xie worked as a lawyer with Hunan Gangwei Law Firm before his arrest.

Released on “bail” after arrest but before formal indictment:

Lawyer Bao Longjun (包龙军), husband of lawyer Wang Yu, was released on bail sometime in the first week of August 2016 following his wife’s televised “confession” on July 31. Since that time, he and his family have reportedly been held under house arrest in an apartment in Inner Mongolia, with 24-hour police guards and escorts if they leave the home. They are not allowed to contact supporters. Bao Longjun was seized by police at Beijing Capital International Airport on the evening of July 8 along with his son, who was later released into house arrest. Tianjin authorities then put Bao under “residential surveillance at a designated location” on suspicion of “creating a disturbance” and “inciting subversion of state power.” His family and lawyers received no information on his status from authorities until August 24, 2015 and were not allowed to visit him. Bao was formally arrested on January 8, 2016, on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power” and then transferred to Tianjin No. 2 Detention Center. Bao Longjun received his law license in Inner Mongolia but was not employed by a law firm prior to his arrest.

Gao Yue (高月), female, paralegal to lawyer Li Heping in Beijing, was released on bail on an unknown date in April 2016. Following her release on bail, she has reportedly returned to her hometown. Police confiscated her id card, banned her from contacting supporters, and have restrict her freedom of movement. Gao Yue first went missing July 20, 2015 and her family later received a notice on July 24, 2015 from the Tianjin PSB stating she was in “residential surveillance at a designated location” on suspicion of “creating a disturbance” and “inciting subversion of state power.” Police formally arrested Gao on January 8, 2016, on suspicion of “helping to destroy evidence” and then transferred her to Tianjin No. 1 Detention Center. Authorities denied her access to legal counsel for the duration of her detention on national security grounds. Gao had been working with lawyer Li Heping (above) on a project on China’s implementation of the Convention against Torture with the UK-based NGO The Rights Practice.

Trainee lawyerLi Shuyun (李姝云), female, with Fengrui Law Firm, was formally arrested on January 8, 2016 on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” She was held at Tianjin No. 1 Detention Center from her arrest to her release on “bail pending further investigation” on April 8, 2016. Following her release, supporters could not contact her, but on April 7, 2017, authorities formally dropped the criminal case against her. Tianjin Municipality Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers initially seized her from her home on July 10, 2015. and took away a computer and hard disk. They claimed they were working with Beijing police and that they were investigating a “criminal case.” She was under enforced disappearance in the months prior to her arrest.

Beijing lawyer Li Chunfu (李春富), male, was formally arrested on January 8, 2016 on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” Held at Tianjin No. 2 Detention Center until his release on bail January 12, 2017. Appears to have a serious psychological disorder due to his treatment and possible tortre in detention. Li disappeared after he was taken away by police from his home on August 1, 2015. Police also searched his home. His family had been given no notification of his detention until his arrest in January 2016. Li is the younger brother of missing lawyer Li Heping (below).

Buddhist monk and activist Lin Bin (林斌, aka Monk Wang Yun, 望云和尚), male, was formally arrested on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power” on January 8, 2016. Authorities released him in September 2016, and he briefly returned home under police control and was then taken to a third location, reportedly in Tianjin, before being returned home again on an unclear date. He reportedly cannot freely travel, communicate with supporters or accept interviews. Lin Bin first disappeared on July 10, 2015 at the Chengdu airport in Sichuan after unknown men seized him, initially on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” On August 28, 2015 his lawyer Chang Boyang (常伯阳) confirmed that Tianjin PSB Hexi District sub-branch was holding Lin under residential surveillance at a secret location on suspicion of an “endangering national security” crime. After his formal arrest in January 2016, authorities moves him to Tianjin No. 2 Detention Center. Lin was the head monk at the Nine Xianchan Temple in Ningde City, Fujian Province prior to his detention. The temple was searched by unindentified individuals on July 9, 2015. Lin had been travelling in Chengdu due to pressure from the Fujian Linde Religion Supervisory Bureau over his support for human rights lawyers. Lin was also a vocal supporter of detained activist Wu Gan.

Activist and administrative assistant at Fengrui Law Firm Liu Sixin (刘四新), male, was formally arrested on January 8, 2016, on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” Held at Tianjin No. 2 Detention Center until his release on bail an unknown date in November 2016. Liu disappeared on July 10, 2015 after phoning his colleague Liu Xiaoyuan (刘晓原) in the morning and shouting, “They’re coming!” before the line went dead. Liu was held at Hexi District Detention Center in Tianjin prior to his arrest on suspicion of “creating a disturbance” and a crime in the category of “endangering state security.” On February 28, 2016 a detention center officer claimed that Liu had supposedly “fired” his family-appointed lawyers, but did not provide any evidence.

Activist Liu Yongping (刘永平) also known by screen name Lao Mu (老木), male, was formally arrested on January 8, 2016 on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” Held at Tianjin No. 1 Detention Center until his release on “bail pending further investigation” on August 8, 2016. Following his “release,” Liu was held under house arrest in a guesthouse in Tianjin until he was handed over to local national security officers in Pingxiang, Jiangxi Province on October 21, 2016, who banned him from leaving and put him under strict surveillance. His freedom of movement and communications have been restricted by police. First taken away by police on July 10, 2015, his whereabouts were unknown until his brother received a notice from Tianjin police on August 16, 2015 that Liu is being held at “residential surveillance at a designated location” on suspicion of “picking quarrels and prokvoking trouble.” Liu and activists Hu Shigen and Gou Hongguo (above) belonged to the same underground Christian church in Beijing.

Beijing activistTang Zhishun (唐志顺), male, was formally arrested by Tianjin police on May 4, 2016, on suspicion of “organizing others to cross national borders.” He was released on unknown date in 2016, but information didn’t become public until December 2016, and he has returned home to Beijing. Tang was seized by Burmese and Chinese police on October 6, 2015 in Mong La, Myanmar along with Xing Qingxian (below) and Bao Zhuoxun (包卓轩), the 16-year old son of Wang Yu and Bao Longjun. They were returned to China on an unknown date, and shortly after, Bao Zhuoxun was returned to Inner Mongolia and put under house arrest but Tang and Xing were then detained incommunicado. Tang’s lawyers made multiple attempts to ascertain his location throughout 2015 and 2015, but Tianjin PSB repeatedly denied the lawyers’ requests on the grounds the case was of “grave significance.” The only information about the two made public by Chinese authorities was through state media—Global Times and Xinhua—which stated the two men were suspected of “illegally crossing the national border.”

Wang Yu (王宇), female, lawyer at Fengrui Law Firm, was formally arrested on January 8, 2016, on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” She was held at Tianjin No. 1 Detention Center, until her release on “bail” on an unknown date in July 2016. On August 1, 2016 an interview with Wang Yu was released, in which she claimed that regreted her work, denounced her former boss Zhou Shifeng, and claimed foreign forces tried to “use” her to “attack” and “discredit” the Chinese government. Since that time, she and her family have reportedly been held under house arrest in an apartment in Inner Mongolia, with 24-hour police guards and escorts if they leave the home. They are not allowed to contact supporters. Wang Yu was first taken away from her home in the early morning of July 9, 2015; state media reported days later she had been put under criminal detention. On an unknown date she was put under “residential surveillance at a designated location” on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and “inciting subversion of state power.” Her lawyers have been blocked from visiting her on the grounds that her case involves national security. Wang Yu has represented a number of high-profile political cases in her career.

Beijing lawyer Xie Yanyi (谢燕益), male, was formally arrested on January 8, 2016, on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.” On August 8, 2016 officials at Tianjin No. 2 People’s Procuratorate informed his wife that his case has already been recommended for indictment. Officials then informed his lawyer on December 5 that his case had been sent back to police for further investigation. On January 5, 2017, Xie’s wife reported that Xie had been released, but he did not return home until January 18. Authorities claimed in May 2016 that Xie has engaged a new lawyer approved by the government; his wife subsequently filed a lawsuit against the government-appointed lawyer, alleging the lawyer illegally refused to provide information on her husband’s case. He is being held at Tianjin No. 2 Detention Center. Police first seized Xie in the morning of July 12, 2015. Xinhua listed him as being held under compulsory criminal measures in a July 18 article, though his family had been given no official notice throughout the duration of his detention. He was under enforced disappearance in the months prior to his arrest. Xie Yanyi is a lawyer with Beijing Kaitai Law Firm.

Chengdu activist Xing Qingxian (幸清贤), male, was formally arrested by Tianjin police on May 6, 2016, on suspicion of “organizing others to cross national borders.” He was then held at Tianjin Municipal No. 2 Detention Center and released on unknown date in 2016. Xing has been living under strict police control since his release, with restrictions on his freedom of movement and communication. Xing was seized by Burmese and Chinese police on October 6, 2015 in Mong La, Myanmar along with Tang Zhishun (above) and Bao Zhuoxun (包卓轩), the 16-year old son of Wang Yu and Bao Longjun. They were returned to China on an unknown date, and shortly after, Bao Zhuoxun was returned to Inner Mongolia and put under house arrest but Xing and Tang were then detained incommunicado. Xing’s lawyers made multiple attempts to ascertain his location throughout 2015 and 2015, but Tianjin PSB repeatedly denied the lawyers’ requests on the grounds the case was of “grave significance.” The only information about the two made public by Chinese authorities was through state media—Global Times and Xinhua—which stated the two men were suspected of “illegally crossing the national border.”

Paralegal Zhao Wei (赵威), female, also known as Kaola (考拉), aide to lawyer Li Heping (see above), was formally arrested on January 8, 2016, on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” She was held at Tianjin No. 1 Detention Center until her release on “bail pending further investigation” on an unknown date; Tianjin police announced on July 7, 2016, that Zhao Wei had “admitted” to crimes and thus the conditions were met for bail. After she was “released,” she gave an interview with the South China Morning Post, in which she said she regreted her former work, but her husband doubted she was completely free from police control as he could not contact her. In September 2016, police reportedly moved her and her parents to an apartment in her hometown; she has remained under police control, who restrict her freedom of movement and communications. Zhao was first seized from her home on July 10, 2015 and her lawyer only confirmed on July 28 that she was being held at Hexi District Detention Center in Tianjin Municipality on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and a crime in the category of “endangering state security.” Authorities denied her all access to her lawyers while in detention.

Released after “residential surveillance at a designated location” but before being arrested:

After six months

Huang Liqun (黄力群), male, lawyer with Fengrui Law Firm, was seized by police on July 10, 2015 and then criminally detained, according to state media. He was held at an unknown location until his release on January 7, 2016, and is believed to have been under “residential surveillance at a designated location.” Huang was made to testify against his former boss Zhou Shifeng at Zhou’s trial on August 4, 2016. He was unable to contact supporters for months after his release and around the trial, but by mid-2017, he is reportedly free to meet with friends and travel, though he cannot give media interviews or contact human rights lawyers. His law license is reportedly still attached to Fengrui Law Firm, so he is no longer able to practice law.

Lawyer Sui Muqing (隋牧青), male, was held under “residential surveillance at a designated location” on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power” until his release in “bail pending further investigation” on January 6, 2016. Police seized him from his home on the night of July 10, 2015 on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and took him to South Village Police Station in Panyu District, Guangzhou, but he was later transferred to an unknown location. Sui had signed an open letter in support of Wang Yu before his detention. His wife, also a lawyer, was taken away by police and later released.

Xie Yuandong (谢远东), male, trainee lawyer with Fengrui Law Firm, was held under “residential surveillance at a designated location” by Tianjin PSB on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and “inciting subversion of state power” until his release on “bail pending further investigation” on January 19, 2016. Xie initially disappeared on July 10, 2015 and his family learnt from Xinhua article on July 18 that he had been placed under compulsory criminal measures. As a part of the government smear campaign against Fengrui Law Firm, Xie was featured in state media on July 19 “confessing,” likely under duress.

Beijing lawyer Zhang Kai (张凯), male, was released on March 23, 2016, approximately one month after he was placed under criminal detention on February 26, 2016. Zhang had been held for six months under residential surveillance at a secret location, before state media broadcast and a televised “confession” on February 25, 2016. In the confession, Zhang “admitting” to having damaged “national security” through his actions, and urging Chinese lawyers not to accept financial support from abroad, which followed a pattern of “confessions” made by incommunicado detainees. Following his release, Zhang was reportedly put under house arrest for a period of time. He is restricted from freely traveling, meeting with friends, or contacting supporters. Wenzhou PSB in Zhejiang Province seized Zhang on August 25, 2015 and held him on suspicion of “gathering a crowd to disrupt social order” and “stealing, buying, and providing state secrets and intelligence” for overseas entities. His lawyer confirmed on August 31, 205 that Zhang had been put under residential surveillance on an “endangering national security” crime and “gathering a crowd to disrupt social order” charges. Zhang, originally from Beijing, and lawyer Fang Xiangui (方县桂) and legal assistant Liu Peng (刘鹏) were picked up after travelling to Zhejiang to provide legal representation to local Christians facing religious persecution under government orders to remove crosses from churches. Zhang’s lawyers were not allowed to visit him while he was detained. Fang and Liu were released on December 11, 2015.

Under six months

Lawyer Fang Xiangui (方县桂) was held under “residential surveillance at a designated location” on suspicion of “gathering a crowd to disrupt social order” and “stealing, buying, and providing state secrets and intelligence” for overseas entities. Wenzhou PSB intially took Fang away on August 25, 2015 along with Beijing lawyer Zhang Kai (above) and legal assistant Liu Peng (below), after they travelled to Zhejiang Province to provide legal representation to local Christians facing religious persecution under government orders to remove crosses from churches. He was released on December 11, 2015.

Paralegal Liu Peng (刘鹏) was held under “residential surveillance at a designated location” on suspicion of “gathering a crowd to disrupt social order” and “stealing, buying, and providing state secrets and intelligence” for overseas entities. Wenzhou PSB intially took Liu away on August 25, 2015 along with Beijing lawyers Zhang Kai and Fang Xiangui (above), after they travelled to Zhejiang Province to provide legal representation to local Christians facing religious persecution under government orders to remove crosses from churches.On November 13, Liu’s lawyers Li Baiguang (李柏光) and Liu Peifu (刘培福) received word from the Wenzhou PSB that Liu had decided to fire them but were not allowed to meet with their client, in a similar pattern of other detainees in the crackdown mysteriously removing their family-appointed lawyers. He was released on December 11, 2015.

Henan activist Xu Zhihan (徐知汉) was put under “residential surveillance” at his house in Zhengzhou on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power” on July 24, 2015. Released on unknown date. Xu had initially been forcibly taken from Ji’nan, Shandong Province to his home province on July 11, 2015 and held in police custody until July 14, 2015 before being taken away again.

Lawyer Wang Qiushi (王秋实), male, lawyer of detained lawyer Wang Quanzhang, was taken into custody on January 10, 2016 and later placed under “residential surveillance at designated location” after police summoned him twice for questioning. He was released on “bail pending further investigation” on February 1, 2016. He has reportedly been banned from leaving Harbin.

Released on bail after being put under criminal detention but before being arrested:

Lawyer Chen Taihe (陈泰和), male, also a law professor at the University of Electronic Technology in the Guangxi autonomous region, was criminally detained on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking troubles” on July 13, 2015. He was held at Guilin City No. 2 Detention Center until his release on August 22, 2015. According to his lawyer, Tan Yongpei (覃永沛), who had also been questioned by police in the raids, Chen’s detention is related to a “Citizen’s Action Group” WeChat group. Chen said he was released after promising to disband the group, and he kept silent about his release until late September while his family fled China.

Activist Jiang Jianjun (姜建军), male, was criminally detained by Liaoning police on July 12, 2015, on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking troubles.” He was held at Dalian Detention Center until his release on August 18, 2015.

Lawyer Ren Quanniu (任全牛), male, was criminally detained on July 8, 2016 on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” for posting social media messages about his client. He was held at Zhengzhou No. 3 Detention Center in Henan Province until his release on “bail pending further investigation” on August 5, 2016. Following his so-called “release,” Ren briefly returned home for less than an hour, before authorities forced him to travel. Initially allowed once-a-day phone contact with his wife, he was completely cut off from contact with the outside world. His whereabouts remained unknown until he confirmed in November 2016 announcing he had been released. During his detention, Ren was only granted one meeting with his lawyers Chang Boyang (常伯阳) and Zhang Junjie (张俊杰), on July 11, afterwards authorities repeatedly denied requests on the grounds he was being interrogated. Ren, the family-appointed defence lawyer of crackdown detainee Zhao Wei (above), was detained the day after Zhao’s release from detention after she was held for a year incommunicado. Zhao’s weibo account began posting messages purpotedly from the activist after her release, but lawyer Ren raised doubts that she had sent the messages. Ren had also posted messages on his social media account on May 27, 2016 about a rumour that Zhao Wei had been sexually abused in the detention center. On July 8, 2016 the Zhengzhou Public Security Bureau posted on weibo that Ren is being investigated for disseminating false information about the abuse. Zhao’s husband cast doubt that she was completely free and condemned the detention of lawyer Ren.

Released following enforced disappearance:

Wang Fang (王芳), female, an accountant with the Fengrui Law Firm, was disappeared on her way to work on July 10,2015 and released on January 8, 2016, when many of her colleagues were placed under formal arrest.

Partial List of Some Individuals Released after Questioning and Warning (24-72 hours):

Liu Xiaoyuan (刘晓原), senior partner at Fengrui Law Firm, Beijing Municipality; held for three days and was threatened with disbarment

Bao Zhouxuan (包卓轩), teenage son of lawyers Wang Yu and Bao Longjun; questioned four times by police, passport confiscated and blocked from studying abroad, and told not to speak to lawyers. Held under house arrest beginning on July 18

Lan Wuyou (蓝无忧), activist, Hunan Province

You Yuping (游豫平), activist, Beijing Municipality

Ou Biaofeng (欧彪峰), activist, Hunan Province

Wang Fulei (王福磊 also known as the “Fisherman” 渔夫), activist, Guangdong Province